Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) - template and documentation

Here you'll find the following documentation:


Core LCP documents    


 LCP Generic Version 12

LCP Generic Version12 was launched on Tuesday 8th December 2009 following presentations at the 6th Annual LCP Conference at the RSM, London on 25th November 2009, and the National LCP Reference Group on 2nd December 2009.

LCP Generic Version 12  (example) is available to view and print below:

LCP Generic Version 12 (example)

The LCP will only make a real difference if it is used alongside an implementation and dissemination model firmly embedded in the organisation and supported by a continuous learning programme.

10 step implementation programme (pdf)

 

Supportive Documentation

For ordering supportive documentation, please click here

Goal data dictionary    

Recording the outcome of goals is crucial. The goals on the LCP and the associated coding and recording of variance needs to be fully understood if the LCP is to be fully implemented and sustained within the clinical environment.

Please see below the new data dictionary for the LCP Version 12

 LCP V12 Goal Data Dictionary

"The Goal Data Dictionary suddenly made the true meaning of variance come to life for me. I now understand this is not just a tick box exercise but a means to articulate the true individual patient journey."
Staff Nurse Services for Older People- Acute Hospital.

 

LCP and specialist areas    

Based upon the expertise of the development and spread and evaluation of the LCP Model across clinical settings, a number of projects have been running to demonstrate transferability of the LCP and best practice in care of the dying across more specialist areas.

Transferability has been demonstrated within an Action Research and Service Improvement methodology.

Success has been dependent on the following:

  • The organisation is registered with the LCP Central Team within the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool (MCPCIL)
  • The LCP is already implemented within the generic environment of the organisation
  • The specialist area is keen to improve care for the dying patients and carers within the environment.
  • The specialist area has the desire and the resource to implement the LCP
  • There is a specialist palliative care service willing and resourced to work collaboratively with specialist colleagues

For further information see: "Can the LCP be used for all patients irrespective of diagnosis in the last hours / days of life?" (pdf)

Specialist areas

Rapid Discharge Pathway

   

Building on the development of the LCP - the Liverpool Rapid Discharge Pathway provides a local model that has successfully demonstrated a structured LCP co-ordinated process to enable a dying patient to go home to die. It is crucial to the success of this model that specialist palliative care services take a lead role in the use of this pathway.

This pathway requires a governance and risk assessment and full co-operation of supportive services and full and frank discussions about the process and potential risks.

"My brother always said he did not want to die in hospital, and with support of this plan of care he was discharged home to me within 4 hours of our discussion, and he died at home with us the following day. I can’t thank you enough."

Patient's sister

“My dad died in hospital  - I promised him this would not happen but the palliative care team helped me see things differently – we all discussed the rapid discharge plan  - but despite all our efforts he died before we could put the plan in place – I do not know if things could have been different but what helps me to cope is I do not feel guilty – I tried – and I believe that this is enough.”

Patient's son


Reference

Murphy D, Ellershaw J, Jack B, Gambles M, Saltmarsh P (2004) 'The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Rapid Discharge home of the dying patient' Journal of Integrated Care Pathways 8 (3) pp. 127-128.

Supporting Children   

We have recently undertaken a two year project to generate a suite of information to support families and children when an adult in the family is nearing death, culminating in the production of age specific leaflets -

If, as an organisation, you would like to order multiple hard copies of any or all of the above leaflets, please click here to go to our order page. For parents or relatives, please use this order form. 

The project was led by Alison Germain, Children and Young Persons Counsellor at Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool, who launched the leaflets at the Supporting Children and their Families within the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) Programme held on 21st June 2010 at the Royal Society of Medicine. For a detailed overview of the project, please click here.

For downloadable presentations from the day please click on the following links -

 To hear more about how parents, relatives and carers can support children in this difficult time, please click here.

Leaflets

Order printed hard copies of leaflets